How should a flight attendant respond if they notice a fire on board?

When a flight attendant notices a fire on board, the appropriate response is to alert the captain and follow emergency protocols. This is crucial because the captain has the overall authority to make decisions regarding the aircraft's safety and will initiate the necessary procedures to manage the situation.

Emergency protocols are designed to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, encompassing a chain of command and specific steps to address a fire, which may include using fire extinguishers, managing the cabin environment, and preparing for possible evacuation if necessary.

Trying to extinguish the fire personally without involving the captain could lead to dangerous situations if the fire escalates or if the flight attendant is not trained for handling specific types of fires. Ignoring the fire is never an option, regardless of passenger proximity, as even small fires can quickly become uncontrollable. Similarly, evacuating passengers immediately can create chaos and may not be the safest course of action without assessing the situation and following the captain's guidance. Therefore, alerting the captain and following established emergency protocols is the correct and safest response.